5-star RB Zach Evans will reportedly not play for Georgia despite signing with the Bulldogs
Zach Evans has had among the most drama of any recruit in this recruiting cycle, and there appears to be another chapter in the recruiting saga for the 5-star running back.
A one-time Georgia recruit, Evans is now looking to another program, according to a report from 247Sports.
Evans told reporters at the Under Armour All-American Game that he signed with a college team during the Early Signing Period. That program was Georgia. However, Evans did not announce his college decision as previously scheduled during the all-star game. Evans said postgame he “can’t answer” questions about his college decision.
The signed letter does not necessarily bind him to Georgia. The Bulldogs are expected to grant Evans an unconditional release, which would allow Evans to explore other options. Other schools are prohibited from contacting Evans while he’s bound by an NLI, per NCAA regulations.
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Evans is the the No. 14 overall prospect and No. 1 running back in the 247Sports Composite for the 2020 cycle. He won MVP honors at the Under Armour All-American Game and rushed for 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns on just 127 carries as a senior for North Shore High School (Texas).
It’s unclear which direction Evans is leaning, but it appears down to LSU and Texas A&M. Evans has been linked to at least six programs behind the scenes.
I’m hoping there’s a really good reason for UGA to want to release him from his LOI. Either it needs to be because he changed his mind and was set on transferring anyway and they didn’t want to hold him up, or because he did something not yet reported because I haven’t seen anything so far that would warrant UGA not inclining to keep him in the fold.
It’s because he was suspended twice this year by his high school team, and sent him from the state title game. We don’t need a head ache like that in Athens.
Do you think he’s really THAT bad or do you have no faith in UGA to straighten him out?
I doubt it’s just for him getting suspended. Either way Kirby hasn’t been the best at straightening players out.
C’mon man! Take the Jorts off and be real. Kirby/UGA have had fewer TEENAGERS do stupid stuff than UF these past 4 years. Look it up. There’s always going to be a couple out of 85+ Young, alpha males doing something stupid. Your Joey boys (more than any other school) should shut the hell il when it comes to player misconduct. Credit cards. Payments. Sexual assault. HERNANDEZ.
With that said, if he had signed with Flo, you’d be touting Cousin Eddie’s morals in telling him no.
#HouseofTurds.
I’m sure you remember your last off season. Joke of college football.
He is that bad. There have been a lot of schools that have backed off him. If Georgia keeps him, they will deal with constant problems. Let him go to LSU or A&M. They don’t know what they are doing.
If nobody else wants him, we’ll take him. I’m sure Coach Grantham can keep him on the straight and narrow in Starkville.
Don’t be an idiot please.
Can’t be a bigger headache than Crowell, Holloman, Harvey-Clemons, Pickens, etc. etc. etc.
Three of those guys transferred and the 4th hasn’t done anything remotely illegal, but I get your point: we still signed and enrolled the previous 3, though to be fair Holloman showed absolutely no signs of shadiness at all coming in—his recruitment seemed to be down home happy little small town kid who didn’t even pick up offers until his junior film came out.
Looks like Pickens is working out quite well.
Crowell yes.
Holloman…gone
Harvey-Clemons…went
Pickens…still but hurt, huh?
Heard the same. Also academic issues.
Yeah it has to be something pretty bad to not even want to take the chance. He’s super talented and even if he’s a headache I would think he would be worth the extra effort. We may never know what the whole story is. I’m still hopeful but hope wherever he goes he grows up some.
What’s even worse is all the wasted efforts on him that could have spent on another RB. Milton is a good one but we really needed 2 this cycle.
No we didn’t. This cycle we only ever needed one, because White and Cook are 1a and 1b for 2021, with McIntosh and Milton as backups. 2021 we need two.
Yeah I’m thinking Tank or Chaney may have been a real option had UGA not spent their time on Evans. For a minute it looked like it had paid off but man, it stings not getting him in there. Yes Corch, they did need 2 this cycle. They only got 1 last cycle and it’s really bad practice to take 1 RB two cycles in a row.
Definitely needed another RB. Four scholarship RBs isn’t enough for our playing style.
Why do you think Bama backed off? Did not want to put in all the time and effort.
I’m thinking it’s a done deal that he’s not coming to UGA. They wouldn’t waste their time releasing him from the LOI if they thought there was a chance to keep him in the fold. My only question is whether it was UGA who wanted out or Evans.
The apology at the UA game makes me think we backed out.
And again that brings me back to WHY? I need answers. The info and reporting was out there long before he signed. If they were going to back out, why do it a few weeks after unless something new happened. It’s the not knowing that kills me.
I hear ya. He was worth some risk if nothing else but to keep him away from other teams. Hard to imagine what he could have done to piss UGA off so bad.
And that’s what makes me think that he wanted out and was about to try to transfer immediately anyways ala Bru McCoy or Ale Kaho. Maybe he felt comfortable closer to home or maybe he knows something about the UGA coaching changes coming up if there are any. Who knows.
Did Georgia ever receive that LOI ? This young man has definitely been reading way too much about his-own-greatness.
Yes they did. And they submitted it I believe.
Message to UGA: Teach him responsibility by NOT releasing him for a year. Let him sit at home and think about his future. Having said that, he is trouble and there is no way UGA should want or need him in the program.
According to all the LSU comments on here LSU stopped pursuing this kid because he was too much trouble. Why would they be interested in him now that another school is dropping him because he’s too much trouble.
They never stopped pursuing him. They said that because they were all butthurt that he chose UGA. They’ll take him back with open arms and deny trashing him.
Maybe some, not all. I’m perfectly fine with my current 5 star RBs.
But in all seriousness, what did this kid do?
If you find out let me know. I’m at a loss.
LSU has moved on. He probably goes to A&M.
“LSU has moved on” LOL I’m willing to be they’d reconsider
If they were desperate. This kid likes to play games too much. Let Jimbo deal with him.
Jimbo would take him coming from the history when he was at FSU and all the troubled/broken home kids he would take in makes much more sense.
Take Jameis Winston for instance, he had very similar issues along with others at FSU. Evans would be a better fit at A & M.
Seems like a perfect fit for Jimbo at Texas A&M. He survived three years of Jameis so he can handle Evans too.
Lol
What was Jimbo vs the uf dregs, like 7-1.
Jimbo owned uf
What does that have to do with Jimbo and Jameis?
Congrats to Jimbo for consistently beating Muschamp and McElwain. Something that even Kirby hasn’t been able to accomplish.
Gatorfan9696, it’s all they got. Most of em weren’t alive last time Georgia won a NC.
I don’t know the answer here so maybe you know the answer. How many times has Florida won a game Smart coached in?
In Texas high school football, for you to be an All-American running back and get suspended twice, including being sent home from the state title game, you have to do have done some horrible things. Not just smoking pot or even something as stupid as a DUI. You have to have done terrible things. It’s TEXAS for crying out loud.
I’m thinking: Hit a girl, hit a coach, sexual assault, or even some other felonious activities.
We know he got in a fight with his coach, but I would think if it was something that serious it would have been reported or there would be an arrest record or SOMETHING.
You’d be thinking wrong. Don’t know why you think Texas somehow goes lenient on players, quite the opposite really. This kid absolutely made some mistakes, but nothing felonious by a long shot.
Exactly. You don’t see anything in the news about him doing anything wrong. That news doesn’t stay hidden in 2020. Makes me think that Evans wanted out, and with how many times he’s changed his mind, that makes sense.
I agree, although I am confused on why he wanted out. Originally I thought it was the possibility of Swift staying but I doubt he’s worried about competition and now Swift is leaving anyway so that theory is out the window. I’m wondering if he just got separation anxiety and decided he wants to stick closer to home after all.
Yeah I thought it was hinged on Swift’s decision too. Either way it sucks. We defiantly could have used him.
*definitely
Absolutely. I get all the concern about his issues, but this kid’s ability outweighs all that in my mind. I’ve seen much worse get straightened out by a strong HC.
His skills as a RB is nationally known but what good is it if he’s gonna get himself suspended in crucial games? Not sure if it’s worth the risk.
I think we need to wait and hear the full story on that one before rushing to judgement.
That’s a lot of speculation with no facts to back up your claims. These types of statements rarely end well.
When Deion Sanders pleads for you to get a second chance at the HS All-AM Game, it was bad.
Maybe all of the above…gotta be real bad. Charges dropped, no legal action pursued maybe ? I do not know…merely guessing.
Those are some heavy accusations to put on the back of an 18 year old kid without any proof.
Bottomline is none of us know what’s going on with this dude. No need to smear his name right now. We’ll find out the real story soon enough.
That’s just wrong—you can’t accuse a kid of stuff like that simply because he’s not coming to us.
No one is accusing this kid of anything…but there seems to be a lot of “fog” surrounding his behavior & no answers from anyone coming out ? So does anyone on this blog have any real news about him ? Way too many Question Marks ?
We’re getting so many 5 stars that they’re transferring out before they even get here, lol. All seriousness aside, the fewer Brenton Cox’s we take a chance on, the fewer disruptions later on imho. I hope the kid gets his act together. What a beast on the playing field. aTm makes the most sense. Jimbo is great at coddling if the payoff warrants…
Kids have been getting in trouble since the beginning of time and that’s not going to stop. If the kid was accused of rape, assault or some other serious crime then it would probably be public knowledge by now.
Barring injuries UGA will have 4 solid RB’s next season – Cook, White, McIntosh and White and the 2021 recruiting class is promising for UGA.
Most likely Evans is deemed to risk to the locker-room/team-chemistry, somebody who will cause internal strife and bring the whole team down. Think Caleb King, Washaun Ealy or Isiah Crowell.
If you watched Evans this past weekend – he is a big-time RB, game changing ability. Hopefully this serves as a wake-up call for the young man and he can get on track.
… Cook, White, McIntosh and Milton.
I really like Cook but he’s not an every down back. He’s a great complimentary back but he’s not going to carry the load if White (god forbid) get’s injured. I hope Milton is ready immediately. He looks like a complete back.
The only people that know are Evans and UGA coaches. Kirby has often said that they want certain type. Sounds like as good as he is Kirby didn’t like the fit. Especially if knowledge beforehand of potential problems. Answers will come eventually and we might have missed out on great talent but the coaches are in the know and they probably felt like in best interest of program and University to let another school give him a shot. Best wishes to him and I’m sure UGA feels like it made best decision for all involved.
Why did Get Smart sign him? He should have known everything before ESD.
Right on. Nip it in the bud. Don’t drag this crap out til ESD.
I saw a rumor that he was given financial gain in some form, and Kirby said to fix it or else. But again, just a rumor. We shall find out the truth soon enough..
I didn’t see this among all of the comments. It makes sense but we will probably never know.
We will never know the whole story…but I think this kid did something stupid…the way he was apologising to his future coaches and Deion speaking for him…I just think he has done more than we have heard about…if he was going to be another Crowell…so long good riddance…I also believe Lsu has enough 5 star backs in house they don’t need a headache either… My guess is he will end up at TAMU…
He should go to the Big 12. Lots of Texas schools there. He’d run wild. Maybe that’s part of the problem.
this kid seems like he might end up being a distraction =/ I hope he straightens out and things turn out well for him, but Georgia might be dodging a bullet here.
Maybe. My guess is he’ll go somewhere and become a beast leaving us to sit around and wonder “what if” ala Justin Fields
yeah, the Fields transfer stings for sure and it’s not the type of situation Georgia fans are gonna forget about too quick haha but it’s likely that Evans is coming with baggage that was going to disrupt the team. I know I’d prefer a “We” guy than a “Me” guy and he definitely seems like a “Me” guy. He might be an incredibly talented kid, but hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard!
Exactly this kid sounds like he’s let the hype go his head…he might become a huge star…or a huge problem for which ever team that signs him… some coaches may fill it’s not worth the trouble to find out…one bad apple can spoil the bunch… hopefully he’ll get things right between his ears…
If this kid comes to A&M, he’s going to be the next Manziel. He might carry the team in college, but he’s gonna keep making dumb decisions in life to the point where he won’t last in the NFL.
“…he’s gonna keep making dumb decisions in life to the point where he won’t last in the NFL.”
I hate seeing stuff like this coming from someone claiming to be an Aggie. The truth is you have no idea. Just give it some time and see how it goes before you start posting stupid stuff like this.
Hopefully he can find a great mentor. But all the drama he’s created and the decisions he has made are the truths.. He’s letting his best get to him.
I didn’t think there was any second guessing among the dawg fans?
What? Seriously how do you become a red Sox and a Bama fan? Let me guess your favorite NBA team is Golden St. You’re the worst kind of fan
Considering Alabama doesn’t have any professional sports teams, what does it matter who or why he pulls for?
How do you know he’s from Alabama. I’ve met sports fans like this. They’re favorite teams are always the best in every sport. They’re called front runners and should be laughed out of the sports bar.
or what you would call a band wagon aka bamatime or should I say clemsontime…
I told you guys this 4 days ago in the other Zach Evans story and got called every name in the book. Delusional fan base in Athens.
You’re a Florida troll. No one called you names. We all just called you out. It’s pathetic man.
You are not a Georgia fan. I heard it from Leghumper. Or his Dawg. Somebody.
We just don’t need another Isaiah Crowell saga for crying out loud.
It is a distraction for the team.
What an exhausting human being, this kid is. Does he spell team with an E, a G and an O. I get it. He is a really great running back but for goodness sakes, enough already. Freaking go elsewhere. The Dawgs will be fine.
That was a really good one.
Today I was looking him up on Twitter and read an article written in July about him. It’s pretty sad—he has no relationship to speak of with his father and his grandfather who basically acted as his father died just last year. The article quoted people near him as saying it left Zach “dark” and “angry”. He rarely talks about football, and likes to draw in a comp notebook he carries around.
He’s a phenomenal talent who’s worked incredibly hard to get here, and I sincerely hope that whatever’s troubling him so much and the bad stuff that’s gotten molded into his character can get solved. I’m disappointed he can’t come to UGA and find mentorship and a second family to straighten things out, but cfb is an industry, and I guess Kirby knew things we don’t and decided that the team wouldn’t be able to function as well.
I’m reluctant to judge him since I didn’t have to grow up without a father and I didn’t lose my acting father at age 17. That can do things to a kid.
I have first hand knowledge of this young man as we are from the same neighborhood and both went to the same high school. Please quit speculating if you don’t know his story. Yes he is a troubled young man with discipline issues. He was sent home from the high school state championship game for disciplinary reasons. He did nothing illegal, he simply would not follow team rules. The coach had the players surrender their cell phones 24 hours before the game so as to keep them off social media and stay 100% focused on the game. Evans refused. They asked him repeatedly and he still would not comply. Coach sent him home. End of story. He was suspended for two other games earlier in the season for violating team rules. Disciplinary actions were handled in house. The kid has done nothing illegal. He’s simply a troubled youth that has a hard time following direction. One can only hope that his attitude and actions does not lead to more serious actions by this young man. He’s a heck of a football player but he has to learn to follow rules. He has a lot of people rooting for him here in Houston. Several former pro athletes who live in this area have been trying to intervene and mentor this young man before he makes a grave mistake. I would hate to see such a talent be wasted but if he doesn’t grow up fast and quit acting like a little punk, I’m afraid no one will want him, which would be such a waste.
I just don’t understand why three of the best teams (and RB programs) in the country would back off his kind of talent.
Some young athletes grow up….and some don’t…with his huge talent, I hope he does grow up…or he can become another “The Best That Never Was” story.
I’ve been living in TX and have read the same news stories about him refusing to give up his cell phone before his high school championship.Coaches sent him home for not following team rules. I also read that he is very close to his grandmother, and it was reported that he/they want her to be able to see a lot of his games. She is in Houston, so TX A&M is closest (1.5-2 hrs), LSU is next (4.5 hrs) and UGA is a lot farther (13 hrs). If he needs to be close to family, A&M or LSU makes more sense, if they are still interested. I wish him the best.
Counterfeit $$$
I would be willing to bet that WIDE EYES Jimbo Fisher is behind this. He probably offered to pay him!!!!! Fisher will destroy whatever integrity that TX A&M has!!!! And when he runs off on them. They will be worse than he left FSU!!!!!
And IF Zachary Evans is really a bad Apple. It won’t matter to him a bit. HE STOOD SIDE BY SIDE WITH A RAPIST AND DEFENDED HIM IN SPITE OF ALL THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS AGAINST HIM!!!!! All he cares about is winning. So if he does not go to UGA, I bet it will be A&M!!!!!
PS. Then I hope it comes out that A&M paid him. If that is the case. I hope they get what they deserve!!!!! Either way I hope Zachary Evans can turn his life around. I’d still love to see him do that at UGA!!!!!!!
King Negan
dafuq?
This is Negan. We’re sorry. Every fanbase has one.
Very true.
Yes…I agree. Such vitriol spewing from his keyboard…sounds like an angry FSU Fan(the comment about Jimbo “running off” from A & M). With an avatar like king negan, what can we expect ?
Actually you guys have more than just one.
Must say this is a pretty short post by Negan standards and not enough CAPS.
New for 2020?
Well UGA is only returning two players so he is probably having a meltdown..
Pickens hasn’t been going to class. His momma runs her mouth a lot around Hoover…..too much.
Spring semester just started today so nobody’s been going to class for the past few weeks.
Certain people on this site don’t deserve a reply. This guy is one of them. One look at his history shows who he is.
LOL
You don’t deserve to comment
Inbred…tells ya all you need to know… seriously why would you use a name like that?
He’s an Awwburn fan. He’s on the Gus short bus
I think you are right.
James Cook did some wrong things and got arrested.
Zachary Evans is not a bad kid
And Kirby still let him play in the sugar bowl! That’s why I’m surprised Georgia backed out on this kid.
Why wouldn’t he let him play? A couple traffic violations isn’t really suspension worthy. He passed his drug test.
He violated team rules. Al the players were asked to surrender their cell phones 24 hours prior to the state championship game to keep them off social media and focused on the game. After being asked repeatedly, Zach wouldn’t comply. The coach sent him home. I applaud Coach Kay for sticking to his guns. You play by the rules or you don’t play. This wasn’t his first disciplinary problem. This young man needs to grow up and learn to respect authority or I’m afraid he will be a wasted talent.
I was talking about Cook
He was arrested for driving without valid vehicle registration or license, admitted to smoking marijuana, and had an unlawful opened container of alcohol. I would think that would at least warrant a first half suspension. But, beauty (suspension worthy offenses) are in the eye of the beholder.
I know what the charges were. He passed a drug test so the “admitted smoking marijuana” thing is a bit confusing. Marijuana takes weeks to get out of you system. No license and open container…meh. If it were a DUI it would be a different story. I’m fine with in-house punishment.
It’s not like he was a major contributor in the bowl anyway. He only had 3 carries.
I don’t know how long after the admission he was tested, but THC binds to fat cells so athletes in great shape can have it out of their systems in days, not weeks. I personally know people who’ve passed piss tests the same week they smoked.
Nonetheless, why would you admit to smoking weed as a collegiate or professional athlete given the repurcussions if you hadn’t actually smoked any?
He had an open container and was driving with a suspended license if I remember correctly. He was not DWI. There was a legally owned and registered weapon in the car which belonged to the passengers. The passenger had no charges filed. All in all it seems pretty minor to me. Let’s not make a mountain out of a molehill.
Did he decide he needed to be closer to home? Not much to go on from this article.
I know nothing about Zach Evans personally, but from where I sit, he has Isaiah Crowell 2.0 written all over him.
He’s apparently extremely talented, yet may not be worth the baggage.
If he has troubles as some on here have suggested then I hope he finds a great mentor.
I’ve seen it too many times that it didn’t work out and I hope this isn’t one of those.
Kirby Smart would have been a great choice for him.
Hold him to his LOI. He can enter the transfer portal and sit out a year.
This is a terrible idea. It would be devastating to future recruiting. Recruits would stay away from us like the plague. There’s no reason to be petty. If he doesn’t want to play for us cut him loose. We’ll survive.
Exactly. There’s no reason to hold him to the LOI other than wanting to be petty about it. Don’t harm this kid’s future just because he is having second thoughts about playing for your school. If it IS in fact the case that he doesn’t want to play for UGA anymore, you have to appreciate that he let you know before the signing period is officially over instead of midway through the season. At least now UGA can turn their focus to other players like Jamhyr Gibbs or Daijun Edwards.
Call me optimistic but I’m still holding out hope that this works itself out. I know it’s a long shot but his recruitment has been wild. One final twist would be fine if it means he gets to come to Athens. 4 Scholarship RBs is a scary thought.
From what I’ve heard there is 0 chance he comes to UGA now. But there are other guys out there like I mentioned above. And they are from the state of UGA. I’m not sure either would want to come be a third choice at UGA but UGA would gladly take either at this point.
Dangit Matty I told you I am trying to be optimistic. LOL
I’m pretty sure the LOI is no longer valid.
the LOI was submitted to UGA and UGA submitted it to the NCAA on their end. It’s still valid and they are going to release him from it if they haven’t already from what insiders are hearing.
I would be interested where you got your info. I have read from a couple of recruiting experts that their sources within UGA stated LOI was not filed. Either way all signs point to his release, I’m just curious to know when such release becomes valid.
I read that he can’t have any contact with other schools until UGA releases him. I think UGA has to release him by Jan. 19th. After that he can’t sign with another school until early February. The 5th I think was the date.
But technically I don’t think he CAN “sign” with another school. You can only sign one LOI per recruiting cycle. He would have to just enroll with a commitment.
Reading now (2 sources) that official release was yesterday.
From what I’ve read elsewhere, UGA did not send in his LOI within the required limit (14 days?) which effectively voided his signing. He is now free to talk to other schools and if accepted (grades), can enroll at his school of choice this month.
With his talent and A&M’s need for RB depth, it is understandable for Jimbo to take a chance with Evans. Nobody has a crystal ball to see how he will adjust at the next level, but I’m sure he would be looked at (and treated) early as a bit of a risk.
Unless there is some serious issues (that haven’t come to light) he’d be well worth the risk. He’s a phenomenal player
I don’t believe the 14 day limit is an actual rule
Wild Theory:
He did get into more trouble than everybody thinks and now needs an ankle monitor and can’t leave the state…
Never mind, he played in the under armour game. I need to work on my next theory.
Sounds like this kid is a drama queen. You really have to be bad to get suspended and sent home in high school especially if your a 5 star talent. Bet this kid will be a cancer wherever he goes.
Zamir, James, Kenny & Kendall. Still loaded.
I’ve been reading the comments. And I see are a lot of wild speculations, folks “quoting” what they’ve read, or people judging this kid when they just plain don’t know the whole story, if there is one. The only ones that know anything about the issue are those involved. Maybe he wanted out. Or maybe Kirby found some things out and changed his mind about him. Either way, I’m sure it will come out in the wash. I just hope wherever he lands, regardless of where it is, he gets a fair opportunity to compete for a spot. I would be beyond sad for his talent to go unused. As always..GO DAWGS
“In the absence of facts, we tell ourselves stories”
Noah Hawley
I really hate the speculation game but the only theory that fits my mind right now is that he received some impermissible benefits somewhere along the line from a booster somewhere and UGA knew he wasn’t going to be eligible and they didn’t want to deal with that scrutiny. It makes sense why he would apologize to UGA coaches and it makes sense that there would be no arrest record for something like this.
I have no evidence of anything about this being remotely true so I’m not claiming it to be true in any way. Not even so much as a rumor. It just seems to fit to me. And it could be the case that it was an honest mistake on his part. These kids get taken advantage of all the time.
About this talented, young man…there are a lot of Questions ? But no Answers coming-out,from anywhere….so it’s all speculation at this point in time.
UGA will claim “standards” but we all know it’s a sham. Without hype, UGA has nothing to show for it.
Just look at the last 40 years.
Lol Vandy? What do you have to show for the past 100 years? You should really sit this one out